Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/16726
The Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau has promoted Lauren McAlpin to the position of convention services manager. McAlpin joined the Bureau in 2008 after graduating from the University of Kentucky. Before her promotion, she worked as a visitors services coordinator at the Bureau’s Visitor Information Center. Since 1968, the Louisville Convent- ion & Visitors Bureau’s primary goal has been to enhance the city and county’s economy through tourism development - to promote and sell Louisville as a destination for conventions, trade shows, corporate meetings and pleasure and business travel on a worldwide basis. Clavel Jacques-Louis has been named general manager of the Embassy Suites Hotel Miami Inter- national Airport in Miami. Jacques- Louis will oversee the day-to-day oper- ations of the 318-all suite and full-serv- ice hotel located minutes from the Miami International airport and many of Miami’s hottest attractions including the Seaquarium and Jungle Island. Jacques-Louis most recently held the position of assistant general manager of the Embassy Suites Miami International Airport, a position he held since 2004. He began his hospitality career in 1996 as the loss prevention director for both the Doubletree Coconut Grove and the Embassy Suites Miami International Airport, a position he held until he was promoted to assistant general manager. The Jackson Convention & Visitors Bureau (JCVB) announced a recent addition to its staff. Kelly Bilbo has joined the CVB as manager of Communications and Public Relations. Bilbo brings ten years of experience in public relations and communications to the agency. She is a 1998 graduate of Mississippi College with a bachelor of science in communications. Named 2008 Public Relations Practitioner of the Year by the Public Relations Association of Mississippi Central Chapter, Bilbo previously served as the development coordinator for Mississippi Children’s Home Services. The Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort, located in Nassau, The Bahamas, has announced the appoint- ment of Horatio Smith as catering sales manager for The Bahamas. Smith’s background is in event pro- duction and conceptualization. Most recently, he worked with the Cacique International Group of Companies in Nassau, where he spearheaded the events and design team, and assisted clients with design and implementation ideas for weddings, and corporate and resi- dential events. Smith was also the event coordinator for Aarons Catering of The Palm Beaches in Palm Beach, Florida. He has worked with renowned celebrity wedding coordinator, planner and designer, Diane Valentine. Smith is certified in Guest Service Training from Johnson & Wales University. The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort has appointed Vanessa Kells to director of catering. In her new role, Kells will oversee the catering operations for the 2,265- room property, which conducts an average of 4,200 covers a day. Kells has been with Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort for more than 20 years, serving in a vari- ety of departments. She is also a certified meeting planner and certified wine sommelier. Ideally located in the heart of Walt Disney World Resort, the resort offers 2,265 guest rooms and over 329,000 sq. ft. of meeting space in 84 rooms, including two executive board- rooms, four ballroom options, 110,500 sq. ft. of contiguous convention/exhibit space. . Advantage Communications, Inc. (ACI) recently announced the pro- motion of Olivia Dedner to executive vice president of Account Management. Dedner joined Advantage Communications, a full- service marketing, advertising and public relations agency, in 2002 and previously held positions as senior account executive and director of Public Relations. Since 2007, she has served in her current role as VP. As executive vice president of Account Management, Dedner will primarily be responsible for overseeing and ensuring the success of each client project and the overall growth and development of Advantage Communications. She holds a B.S. degree in political science and sociology from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. Black Meetings & Tourism July/August 2010: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 13